Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Paris Masters match.
At the start of the Paris Masters, Britain's Jack Draper and the Czech Republic's Jiri Lehecka are set to face off once again. Their last encounter earlier this year in Adelaide saw Lehecka clinch the victory, denying Draper the title. However, this time, the Brit, eager for revenge, arrives in Paris in excellent form and buoyed by a season of successful results.
Jack Draper
Draper, the United Kingdom's No.1, is enjoying a strong season, notably reaching the semi-finals of a Grand Slam at the US Open for the first time in his career. Over the past nine months, he has appeared in three finals across various surfaces, including a recent triumph on indoor courts in Vienna, where he overcame Karen Khachanov in the final. Draper excels indoors, having won 19 of his last 22 matches over the past two years. His assured service game allows him to maintain a high first-serve point percentage (around 80%), while his powerful baseline shots enable him to dictate the pace and apply pressure on opponents.
Jiri Lehecka
Lehecka started the year strongly with his victory in Adelaide, but his form dipped following an injury, winning only 30% of his matches on indoor courts in Europe over recent seasons (3 out of 10). In October, he reached the final in Antwerp but then suffered a first-round loss in Basel shortly after. His baseline play and powerful serve are among his strengths, but a lack of consistency on fast surfaces might pose a challenge against a well-prepared Draper.
Jack Draper vs Jiri Lehecka Prediction
Draper's strengths, combined with his successful performances on indoor courts, give him the upper hand in this match. While Lehecka is a promising talent, statistics show he often falters in the early stages of indoor tournaments, boosting the odds for the Brit. A promising bet would be a win for Draper, considering his current form and confident displays.
